Kang, Gonzalez win starting jobs in Pirates’ infield

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Jung Ho Kang and Erik Gonzalez have won the Pirates’ two open spots in the lineup.

Kang will be the starting third baseman after beating out incumbent Colin Moran. Gonzalez, acquired from the Indians in an offseason trade, beat out rookie Kevin Newman at shortstop.

“It was not an easy decision because all four guys, in their own way, had legitimate claims to be the regular,” Neal Huntington said Monday morning before the Pirates traveled to Port Charlotte, Fla., to take on the Rays in an exhibition game.